The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-10-20
THE LAND OF SHE.
Romantic Trip to the Mountains' Gate,
Montana.


Comparatively few of Helena's popu-
lation, says the Helena I7s9rDende,at
are aware of the existence of the great
scenic resort distant from this CITY
about eighteen miles in a northerly
direction. and know as Hilger's ranch
or the Mountains Gate. Much has
been spoken of the locality by the few
who have been favored with a visit to
the attractive spot, and at times their
reports have been looked upon merely
as exaggerations, many not being in
clined to believe in the grandeur and
sublimity of the view as pictured. A
personal visit to the premises, however,
will dispel all doubts instead a scene of
awe and wonder greets the eve which
almost battles description. All is true
that has been depicted of it, and one
visit is but an appetizer for future trips.
A good wagon road, romantic in APP
pearance, leads thereto, permitting
the voyage to be made in about three
hours. Emerging from canyon, the
mighty Missouri and the humble
though delightful country home of Mr..
Hllger, pleasantly situated on the east
bank of the great stream, and a broad
expanse of grassy fields and heavily
timbered slopes spread before the eve
OF the tourist. forming a panorama
grand in the extreme. An hours's halt
at the cozy farmhouse, where one is
treated right royalty by tine genial host
and his most hospitable family, and
the little steel cruiser Rose of Helena
is in readiness, and, all prepared, she
steams out into the broad and swift
current on her way through the wonder
full gorge so aptly named. The dimin-
utive vessel. though appearing little
larger than an ordinary skiff, is a
marvel OF mechanism, and said to be
the only craft manufactured which
has successfully breasted the powerful
currents of the upper river. Con-
structed entirely of steel-plates, pro-
PEELED by small but powerful engine
driving with force a stern wheel of
peculiar construction, proves a most
formidable subject for blowing the
stubborn stream. Judge Hilger ably
handles the rudder, steering its course
through the tortuous and circuitous
route, bringing the bounding tug
through with safety to any desired
point Mr., Reece, the adipnsian en-
gineer, admirably handles the valves
and levers with self-satisfied air. and
smiles complacently at the casual un-
easiness expressed by some when round
ing sharp bend or ascending turbu-
lent rapids. Pleasing and genial withal,
he becomes an immediate favorite with
the yoyagers, his Falstaffian presence
adding jollity to the occasion. On
speeds the boat through the narrow
defile revealing yawning chasms on
either side of the river, the escaping
smoke from the steamers funnel leav-
ing a dense black outline in the azure
sky a grim indicator of the path taken.
Frowning walls of rock are en-
their turreted battlements
far into the heavens, each
turn in the river revealing new
wonders. Winding along in its sinu-
osity the stream Is enoased on either
side with castellated walls and great
cliffs of solid granite, towering columns
and arches, dismal and unexplored
caverns whose entrances even have
never been traversed by man, mythical
castles, heaven-pointing steeples and
spires, all standing like gigantic
sentinels on the outpost of the rock
bound home of some fabled giant.
The whole scene, novel and marvel
Gus weird, grand, and majestic, is such
that can but be compared with the views
described in fiction. Here, apparently,
rocks have been upheaved by the
violence of nature and forced to a sub
lime height, which before cooling
were sculptured and chiseled out in
the blue sky in designs known only to
the gods.
With slight tax on the imagina-
ton faces, forms, and figures can be
easily discerned, and the weird fan
tastes of the brain and the sketches of
the vague borderings of the dark
shore as seen only in vivid
minds are brought to view. A voice,
aloud or in whisper, rever-
berates from cliff to cliff, and laugh
is sent back from mountain peak as
though echoing in mimic defiance the
impenetrability of the surrounding
heights Such in brief is description
of the land here endeavored to por-
tray, and be it the Switzerland OF
America or the phantom precints of
She, the fact remains that we have
within easy access of Helena locality
which in Justice to ones self should
not be overlooked, especially when the
advantages offered for its inspection
are so favorable. During the fall
months nature is at its best, and
pleasure-seekers can act no wiser than
to avail themselves of the opportunity
suggested in visiting the spot, as be-
fore long the mighty ice king, who dis
plays his herculean power by block
aiding with barriers of adamantine ice,
will have sealed for months to come
and made impossible the entrance to
the Mountains gate.